China Key Figures
- Population:
- 1412 million
- GDP growth rate:
- 5.01 %/year
- Energy independence:
- 78.6%
Data of the last year available: 2023
- Total consumption/GDP:*
- 61.4 (2005=100)
- CO2 Emissions:
- 9.12 tCO2/capita
- Rate of T&D power losses:
- 4.12%
* at purchasing power parity
View all macro and energy indicators in the China energy report
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Total Energy Consumption
Total energy consumption per capita is increasing regularly, reaching 2.9 toe/cap in 2023 (nearly 4 times that for India). Electricity consumption per capita increased by nearly 7% to 5 944 kWh in 2023, more than twice the 2010 levels.
Graph: CONSUMPTION TRENDS BY ENERGY SOURCE (Mtoe)
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View the detailed fondamentals of the market at country level (graphs, tables, analysis) in the China energy report
Crude Oil Production
Oil production has been increasing since 2019 (+1.8%/year), reaching 209 Mt in 2023. It declined by 3%/year between 2015 and 2018, after increasing by 2%/year between 2000 and 2015. Most of the production is onshore and located in the fields close to the north-eastern coast. Offshore production is in full development, with the Bohai basin being one of the most active areas.
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Oil Products Consumption
The consumption of oil products increased by 8% in 2023 to reach 677 Mt. Previously, it increased rapidly between 2010 and 2021 (+4%/year on average) but dropped by 5% in 2022.
In 2023, the share of the transport sector increased to 50%; the second largest energy consuming sector is industry (including non-energy uses) with around 33%.
Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION (Mt)
Graph: OIL CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2023, %)
Interactive Chart China Refined Oil Products Production
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Natural Gas Consumption
Natural gas consumption rose by 7% in 2023 to 436 bcm, after decreasing slightly in 2022. In 2021, it grew by 12%, which was in line with the 2010-2019 trend. Despite the effects of the pandemic, gas consumption grew by 6% in 2020.
Industry represented 40% of gas demand in 2023, followed by the residential and services sector (18%), the power sector (18%), and transport (9%).
Graph: NATURAL GAS CONSUMPTION (bcm)
Interactive Chart China Natural Gas Domestic Consumption
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Coal Consumption
Coal and lignite consumption has been growing rapidly since 2021 (7/year), reaching nearly 5 Gt in 2023, after moderate growth between 2017 and 2020 (1%/year) and a decrease from 2014 to 2016 (-1.9%/year). It increased very rapidly between 2000 and 2013 (+9%/year).
The power sector is the largest user of coal and lignite in 2022, with 62%, followed by industry (15%). The share of the power sector has been increasing continually (45% in 2000 and 49% in 2010).
Graph: COAL CONSUMPTION (Mt)
Interactive Chart China Coal and Lignite Domestic Consumption
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View the detailed consumption trends at country level (graphs, tables, analysis) in the China energy report
Power Consumption
Electricity consumption rose by 7% in 2023 to 8 392 TWh, back to its growth over 2010-2021, after a 4% increase in 2022 and a 10% jump in 2021.
Industry is the main consumer (58% in 2023), followed by residential and services (17% and 16%, respectively).
Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION (TWh)
Graph: ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR (2023,%)
Renewable in % Electricity Production
With the 14th FYP, the country intends to get 20% of its total energy consumption from non-fossil fuels in 2025 (11% in 2023). The target of 15% of renewables in total energy consumption in 2020 was not reached (only 10%) ("Guiding Opinions on Establishing Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards", NEA, 2016). In 2018, the NDRC also set a target of a 9% share of non-hydro renewables in electricity consumption for 2020 and 35% in 2030 (15% reached in 2023).
Interactive Chart China Share of Renewables in Electricity Production (incl hydro)
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Learn more about renewables in the Mini grid Africa & Asia markets for village electrification
CO2 Fuel Combustion/CO2 Emissions
In its updated NDC (2021), China set more ambitious targets for 2030: reaching a CO2 emission peak before 2030, lowering its CO2 intensity by over 65% (from 2005 levels), and eventually reaching carbon neutrality before 2060. It aims to cut the average coal consumption rate in power plants to 300g/kWh between 2020 and 2025.